Criminal Attorney Fairfax, VA

What happens when you are charged with a crime? This is a common question that Attorney Dave Albo receives on a daily basis. Criminal activity is not as rampant as you may believe if you listen to the mainstream news. In fact, there are only about 2,000 felony crimes committed for every 100,000 individuals in the United States. Another thing to know about crime rates is that most take place in large cities.

So, what happens if you are in the wrong place and get charged with a criminal offense by a police officer? Do you know the different steps in the judicial system that every suspect must go through? Here is a brief overview to help you understand what you could expect.

Being Arrested for a Crime

Your arresting officer may ask you a hundred questions because an arrest report must be created as soon as you are transported to the holding facility. It is in your best interest to ask for an attorney or to refuse to answer any probing questions which would call for a judgment on your part.

Once the report is written, the document is sent to the prosecutor’s office, where it will be analyzed. The prosecutor will decide if a criminal charge should be filed. Sometimes, the celebrity status or the crime’s depravity will force the office to prosecute the crimes in the public eye. Talk to a criminal attorney in Fairfax, VA to see how your situation may be viewed by a local prosecutor.

Deciding With the Grand Jury

The next step your case will take is to the grand jury for a decision on charges. The grand jury does not decide the innocence or guilt of a person; that is done at trial before a regular jury of your peers. Instead, the prosecutor will send the following to the seated jury members.

• A list of charges
• Any collected evidence
• A list of witnesses
• Other pertinent data

Once the “bill of charges” is presented, the jury will be asked for a decision on whether charges should be brought against the defendant and what those charges should be. If the prosecutor doesn’t like the answer, new evidence can be presented, or a new grand jury can be called.

Hearing the Preliminary Evidence

If you are accused of committing a felony, a preliminary hearing is held instead of calling a grand jury. All evidence is presented to the judge, and the court is the one to determine if the evidence warrants a trial.

Getting Help Right Away

If you are ever arrested for a possible misdemeanor or a felony, call a criminal defense attorney right away. Having someone on your side who understands the judicial system can make the bumpy process go more smoothly. The attorney can also make sure your legal rights are completely protected. With new and changing criminal laws in Virginia, it’s best to consult a criminal attorney with years of experience in the area. That’s why you should contact Attorney Dave Albo today to discuss next steps for your situation.

Dave Albo is a criminal attorney in Fairfax, VA with over 30 years of experience. He has handled over 3,000 cases during his illustrious career, representing clients facing a litany of different charges. When you’re charged with a crime, a host of different concerns and emotions may run through your mind. Your family, your livelihood, and your reputation may be at stake.

Although it feels overwhelming, it’s important not to panic. People charged with a crime, no matter how serious, have rights. Law enforcement must act according to the law before, during, and after the trial, and they must convincingly prove their case in a court of law. Everyone – EVERYONE – is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Dave Albo is an experienced criminal defense attorney that vigorously defends his client’s rights, ensuring they’re treated fairly from the moment of arrest. Call today and set up an initial consultation.

Criminal Attorney Fairfax, VA

The stages of a criminal proceeding vary depending on the charge’s nature. Misdemeanors and felonies are treated differently by the justice system, with the court, means of service, and type of trial depending on how the crime is classified.

In the Virginia legal system, felonies are considered more serious crimes than misdemeanors. A misdemeanor is any charge that carries a maximum sentence of one year, and a felony is any crime with a maximum sentence of more than one year.

Fairfax, VA criminal attorney Dave Albo has experience handling both misdemeanor and felony cases. No matter the nature of the crime, he has his client’s back.

I Was Charged with a Crime, What Happens Next?

If you’re charged with a misdemeanor, you will either be served with a Virginia Unified Summons with a court date, or you will be given an arrest warrant and placed under arrest.

Even if you’re held without bond, you may need an attorney to file a bond motion on your behalf before you can be released.

If you’re charged with a felony, you will be given a warrant of an arrest that contains a preliminary hearing date and an arraignment date.

The preliminary hearing will take place at a Virginia District Court, which will certify the case as a felony and transfer the case to a Virginia Circuit Court. Note, the District Court does not have the authority to convict you of a crime, only the circuit has the power to convict.

When the case is certified and sent to the circuit court, you will be tried. You always have the right to a jury trial.

Dave Albo is a criminal attorney in Fairfax, VA with decades of experience protecting the rights of ordinary people. This experience has granted him a unique understanding of criminal law and procedure. In fact, he served as chairman of the House Court of Justice Committee for over a decade and wrote many of Virginia’s criminal statutes himself.

Being charged with a crime is scary, but it’s important not to lose hope. Call the Offices of Attorney Dave Albo today and let him fight for you!